One of the most common causes of Feline Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is what your cat eats. A feline diet that is too high in carbohydrates and magnesium, and low in protein can lead to FLUTD. When their cat is initially diagnosed with FLUTD, feline owners will usually first try to get their kitty to eat the prescription foods recommended by their veterinarian.
But what if the cat rejects your offer? As an alternative, specific over-the-counter cat foods are available to keep your cat’s urine pH balance at 6.6. A high urine pH value indicates the formation of struvite crystals in your cat’s urinary tract. The challenge is finding the right cat food that will appeal to kittens, contains the right amount of protein and magnesium, and has little to no by-products.
If you happen to be one of those owners who has to find an alternative cat food, here are five things to consider when selecting cat food to prevent future occurrences of FLUTD in your kitty:
1. What is the most common ingredient?
The first and most common ingredient to be listed is protein: meat or fish. Read the label carefully; here are some variations you might look at:
Canned cat food:
Beef
Chicken’s liver
Boneless chicken
Meat broth
Dry cat food:
Chicken
organic chicken
herring meal
chicken food
Some other good ingredients that will help your kitty maintain good urinary tract health are blueberries and cranberries. Vegetables like carrots are good, and rice is a good grain.
for your kitten to consume.
2. Are there by-products?
Are by-products listed as one of the ingredients? If so, put that food back on the shelf and keep looking. By-products are filler material and have limited nutritional value for your
kitten. Byproducts are usually carbohydrates, and since cats are carnivores, they need protein, not carbohydrates, for proper nutrition.
Here are some examples of by-products:
Canned cat food:
corn gluten meal
ground yellow corn
Soybean flour
Beef by-products
meat by-products
Dry cat food:
Ground Yellow Corn
chicken by-product meal
corn gluten meal
wheat flour
cornmeal
Soybean flour
3. How much moisture is in cat food?
What is the percentage of moisture in the cat food you are evaluating? The higher the number, the better for your kitty. More moisture means your cat will urinate more. Increase
urination will remove any crystals that may be trying to form in your cat’s urinary tract. Canned cat food has a higher moisture content than dry cat food.
4. How much magnesium does cat food contain?
An excess of magnesium will contribute to the formation of struvite crystals (FLUTD). Some magnesium is necessary, but generally look for cat food that has a maximum of 0.025% magnesium for
prevent struvite crystals.
5. Does cat food contain DL-methionine?
DL-Methionine is an amino acid with sulfur, which helps regulate the formation of ammonia in the urine. This amino acid helps maintain the pH balance of your cat’s urine around 6.6, which is normal and does not encourage crystal formation.
And…since cats are cats (which means they’re in charge!), keep in mind that what you select for them may not be what they want to eat, if they don’t like the taste. If this happens, you’ll need to start over until you find a healthy and nutritious cat food that deserves two paws up for your feline.
Keep these five factors in mind when shopping for cat food to support your kitty’s urinary tract and prevent FLUTD.
And remember, when you’re considering changing your cat’s diet, consult with your vet. He or she will provide expert guidance and information to make the transition easier for you and your kitty.
